Machine for cutting wafer-capsules.



W. OHLIGER.

MACHINE FOR CUTTING WAFER CAPSULES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 24, 1912.'

Patented May 26, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 In renter aye) M'fnesses Willard 072/ W. OHLIGER.

MACHINE FOB. CUTTING WAFER CAPSULES.

APPLIOATION FILED SEPT. 24, 1912.

1,097,727. Patented May 26, 1914.

2 8HEETS-SHEET 2.

7/61 2 6 9868 [72 V6?) for COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPl-l CO WASHINGTON, n. c.

UTED STA J PA Fiillil,

WILLARD OHLIGER, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO FREDERICK STEARNS &; COMPANY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

MACHINE FOR CUTTING WAFER-CAPSULEEL Application filed September 24, 1912.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLARD Orrnrenu, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Detroit, in the county of \Vayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Cutting VVafer-Gapsules, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

The invention relates to multiple cut-ting dies and is particularly designed for use in the manufacture of wafer-capsules.

It is the object of the invention to provide means for cutting individual capsules from a sheet with which they are integral, and to accomplish this result without injury to the capsules which are exceedingly fragile.

To this end the invention consists in the construction as hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a vertical central section through the machine; and Fig. 2 is a perspective view thereof.

In the manufacture of wafer-capsules, one method employed is to spread a plastic composition, such as a starch compound, between hot die plates to form a sheet having a mul tiple of the capsules integral therewith. Subsequently the individual capsules must be cut from the sheet, and the usual method is to cut them individually by a pair of cutting dies. The present construction is designed to simultaneously cut all of the capsules from the sheet, thereby effecting a great economy of time.

A is a suitable frame, upon which is mounted a punch plate l3, having a multiple of punch members C distributed over the plate and exactly positioned for registration with the capsules in the multiple sheet. These capsules are usually of a dish-shaped form, having a central depressed portion and an annular marginal flange. In the multiple sheet the peripheral lines of the flanges are not defined, but these form integral portions of a connecting web. The punches C are therefore of a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the flanges of the capsules, and to provide clearance for the depressed portion of the capsule, each punch is provided with a recess D.

E is a die plate which is apertured to receive the punches C and in cooperation therewith sever the capsules from the connecting web of the sheet. This die plate is prefer- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented ltliay 26, 1914.

Serial No. 722,155.

ably actuated by a spring F which engages a cross-bar G attached to guides H, which slidably engage bearings T on the frame. Normally the plate E is in raised position and is spaced from the punch plate 13 a sufficient distance for the insertion of the wafer sheet therebetween.

To engage the wafer sheets with the cutting dies and to insure exact registration therewith, said sheets are first subjected to a treatment for altering the moisture content of the compound, this, however, forming no part of the present invention. W hen in proper condition the sheets may be successively registered with the punch plate, but it is essential. that the web shall be brought in contact with the punches before the cutting operation; as otherwise there is danger of breaking or destroying the marginal flanges of the capsules. 1. have therefore provided means for insuring this firm contact which consists of a suction apparatus for drawing the sheet into contact with the punches or dies. As shown, the frame A has a chamber J formed in. the upper portion thereof beneath the punch plate 13, and which is con nected by a conduit K, controlled by a valve L, with a suitable vacuum apparatus, not shown. Each of the punches C is centrally apertured to place the recess D therein in communication with the chamber J and consequently whenever the valve L is open a suction will be iroduced in each of the recesses D. Thus if the wafer sheet is first placed in substantial registration with the punch plate the suction will draw the individual depressed portions of the capsules into their respective recesses D, thereby bringing the web portion of the sheet into firm contact with the punches C, so that when the die plate E is released the spring F will draw it downward and simultaneously sever the capsules from the web of the sheet.

For operating the die plate E suitable mechanism is provided for raising it after each operation, together with a trip mechanism for releasing the plate when the cut ting is to be effected. Still further provision is made for disengaging the cut capsules from the recesses D after the severing operation. As shown, M is a drive-wheel upon a shaft N, which through the medium of a pinion O communicates continuous rotary motion to a gear-wheel l sleeved upon an intermittently rotating shaft Q. This shaft is which engages a roll U upon a rock shaft U, having rock-arms U extending into engagment with the cross-bar The cam T is of a spiral form and normally is in a position where the large portion thereof is in engagement with the roll U, thereby holding the cross-bar G through the medium of the rock-arm U in a position where the guides H and die plates E are raised. At one point in the cam T is an abrupt drop T, which, when motion is imparted to the shaft Q, will suddenly release the plate E by permitting the springs to draw it downward as before described.

For disengaging the capsules a stripper plate V is arranged within the chamber J, this being provided with a series of pins VJ respectively engaging the apertures connecting with the recesses D in the punches. In normal position of the plate V the pins W are withdrawn from the recesses l) and therefore do not interfere with the engagement of the capsules there 'ith. The plate V has a central shank X passing through a bearing X in the bottom wall of the chamber J and extending into the path of lug Y on the crossbar G. Thus when the cam T is revolved, the rock-arms U will raise the crossbar G a suflicient distance to actuate the shank X, raising the plate V and causing the pins W to disengage all of the cut capsules. This operation is eiiected by a high point T in the cam '1, after passing which the cam drops away to permit the withdrawal of the pins i? into their normal positions.

In operation, the wafers are successively placed in registration with the punch plate B, the valve L being then opened to put on the suction and the trip S being subsequently actuated to effect the cutting. At the completion of the cutting OPQTQJIlOll the pins 1V disengage all of the capsule-s, and by reason of the fact that the punch plate is arranged in an inclined plane, the severed capsules will fall off from said plate on to a belt and carrier Z or other device for receiving them.

To strip the web sheet from the punches a second stripper-plate V is arranged above the punch plate B, being actuated by the stripper-plate V which engages depending lugs V thereon. Thus the web of the sheet is disengaged from all of the punches, and the operator is permitted to withdraw it ,1, lhe

gral sheet to be severed, means for g the embossed portions of said sheet 1C recesses by suction, and a multiple for cooperating with said punch to sever the sheet.

2. The combination of a multiple punch and cooperating die, the individual punch members being recessed to receive embossed portions of the sheet to be severed, suction means operable in advance of the operation of the punch and die for engaging said embossed portions with said recesses, a stripper for disengaging the severed members from said recesses subsequent to the operation of the punch and a second stripper-plate, operating to disengage the web of the sheetfrom the punches.

3. The combination with a supporting slate, of a plurality of punches projecting Tom said plate, each being provided With central recess for receiving an embossed portion in the sheet to be severed, a vacuum chamber formed beneath said plate having communication with each of the recesses in said punch, a stripper-plate within said vacuum chamber having pins adapted to be projected into said recesses, a stripperplate above said punch plate surrounding th punches thereof, a cooperating dieplate, means for producing suction in said vacuum chamber in advance of the operation of the punch and die, and mechanism for operatin said punch and die and strippers in sequence.

The combination of a supporting frame, a plurality of punches supported upon said frame, a stripper-plate surrounding said punches, a vacuum chamber in said frame beneath said punches and communicating with recesses formed in said punches, a stripper-plate in said vacuum chamber, having pins projecting upward in said recesses, a cooperating die member, slidable guides for said die member, a cross bar connecting said guides, a rod extending from said pinsu iporting stripper-plate into the path of said cross bar, and a cam for operating said cross bar to cause the actuation of said die member, and through the latter operating said stripper-plate. r

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLARD OHLIGER.

7 itnesses V W. O. OOCHRAN, liLiAY L. KELLEHER.

Copies 01 this'patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

I Washington, 33. 0. 

